Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray today officially opened a new integrated sports, fitness and community complex in Paraburdoo, providing valuable new services to the Pilbara community.
The $15.7 million Paraburdoo Sports, Fitness and Community Complex represents the biggest investment in community infrastructure in the town in 30 years.
The McGowan Government invested $5 million into the facility, with $10.7 million contributed by project partners Rio Tinto and the Shire of Ashburton.
The new complex provides an oval, indoor recreation courts, change rooms, first aid, kitchen, club rooms, storage and a community gymnasium, and will be able to serve as an emergency centre during cyclones.
The project has also involved the repurposing of an existing sports pavilion to accommodate the Karingal Neighbourhood Centre and will improve disability access and the availability of mental health and counselling services.
New community and health services to be provided at the facility include child health nurses, counselling, physiotherapists and specialist education programs.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Paraburdoo is a family friendly town and is fiercely loved by its residents: these facilities will make Paraburdoo an even more attractive place for people to live and work.
"The Shire of Ashburton, Rio Tinto and the State Government worked closely to deliver a new facility and services that will benefit the Paraburdoo community for years to come while also breathing new life into the town centre.
"The sports and fitness facilities and expanded health and community services will contribute to community wellbeing, while the expansion of services to include child health nurses, counselling, physiotherapists and specialist education will particularly increase Paraburdoo's ability to attract and retain families."
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray:
"Community sporting and recreation facilities like the Paraburdoo Sports, Fitness and Community Complex are part of the fabric that keeps country towns together.
"The McGowan Government invests strongly in community facilities in regional areas to make sure country people have decent places to exercise, recreate and socialise."
